Australia: Narrated likely favorite over Bob in one-mile handicap
The 3-year-old Narrated managed only a second in three starts at the beginning of her career last December and January in Australia. When the filly returned to racing earlier this month, she recorded a convincing win at 3 1/4 lengths in a maiden race at Nowra Racecourse.
Narrated will have her debut against winners in a one-mile handicap at Wyong Racecourse on Tuesday. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Narrated will be a slight favorite over the 3-year-old gelding Bob.
Narrated will be ridden for the first time by Tim Clark, a replacement for Brodie Loy, who is not riding Tuesday. Narrated is likely to race near the front, judging from her first four starts.
:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing
Bob, trained by Mark Newnham, has one win in 13 starts, and has lost his last 10 races. The record is slightly deceptive, considering Bob was beaten a short head in his last start when third in a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Hawkesbury on June 22 in which led to the final strides.
The danger to Narrated and Bob is topweight Sidereal, a recent import from Britain. Sidereal, who will carry 136.6 pounds, was third in his Australian debut in a seven-furlong handicap at Newcastle on June 26, racing in third throughout. Sidereal was beaten by 2 1/4 lengths at 13-1.
Sidereal won a seven-furlong race at Salisbury Racecourse in Britain last August, his most recent start on turf before the recent race at Newcastle. Last fall, Sidereal was fourth once and second twice in three starts on the synthetic track at Chelmsford City Racecourse near London.
Sidereal will be ridden for the first time by Tommy Berry, who through Saturday was the second-leading rider at tracks in the Australian state of New South Wales.
Wyong has an eight-race program, beginning at 10:20 p.m. Eastern, or 7:20 p.m. Pacific, on Monday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.